Rick Moen
rick@linuxmafia.com

Cheers,
Stuart.

Now and then we all bump in to persons that we feel either offended by or that enoy us. I can’t say I’m suprised that James published the e-mail conversation along with an amusing commenting of it. I can just say that Mr. W in fact should be honoured having provoked (by mistake) James to post this comment. I would probably just have ignored Mr. W, but I’m glad you didn’t James!

By the way I wonder which category of persons I fall into…

Regards,
Maria

This is up there with “Can you explain to me how to write a Windows app and include a spec for same?”

It would be a great help if u can explain me how to perform testing of a datawarehouse along with a test plan for same.

Reply:

Hi, W.

I’m not sure what you are asking me here, so I don’t know how to reply. The free material I provide, you can find on my web site.

If you’d like to talk about the issues around testing data warehouses - and I believe there are some unique ones - that’s an interesting topic. I’d be glad to (or not - ed) participate in some kind of round-table or unconference discussion about that. I’ve recently been involved with two conferences organized this way, and it was delightful (, ).

If you are asking for my help with a data warehouse testing effort where you work, that’s great. Let’s arrange to talk in real-time about getting you some consulting. This is what I do for a living, after all. When are you free in the next couple days, so we can schedule a chat?

Regards:

- J

“The more you wait for something , the sweeter it gets”

Its getting sweeter and sweeter , Thanks for making it sweet !

_ _ _

Now by blogging it, you made it sweetest !

And while I am at it, even though I do still think certifications have some value, as long as everyone really understands what they are, I am, as a card carrying Mercury Certified Consultant and Mercury Certified Instructor, (and your right, there is no Mercury Certified Tester) I am personally insulted and offended at his mis-use and attempted mis-characterization of what that is and what it means.

You have always been more than willing to provide the benefit of your time, opinions, and vast experience in any situation I have ever asked for such, and the same can be said of almost everyone I know that has ever spoken with you. You are a true gentleman in this regard, and well regarded for it. The only negative thing I know that anyone could say, and you freely admit, is that the price to be paid is that it must be a two way process. You challenge, you poke, you prod, you ask lots of questions, all to provoke deeper thought on everyones part. Some people may feel threatened by that…but when the entire artifice of the other participants discourse crumbles instantly under the weight of the most gentle of questions…well, you can deduce what type of intelectual integrity was there to begin with.

This is why all of our jobs will not be going overseas.

Sincerely,
David

[James’ Reply: Thanks David. I like to associate with a variety of colleagues, including those who have a perhaps gentler style than mine, so that someone looking for help can get it from at least someone in my community, even if they don’t want to deal with me.]